Vote Bike: West of England

On 4 May, the West of England will go to the polls to elect a new 'Metro Mayor'. Cycling UK and the Bristol Cycling Campaign are calling on all candidates to support a set of three asks.

Context:

The West of England is home to one of the UK’s leading lights of cycling. In 2015, Bristol City Council set an ambition to have 20% of trips done by cycling by 2020. To achieve this aim, it committed to invest £16 per person annually on cycling. This money is being used to build a network of safe cycle routes and to increase access to cycle training and projects.

The new West of England Combined Authority provides an opportunity for the whole region to build on Bristol’s success.

What we're calling for:

Cycling UK and the Bristol Cycling Campaign are asking all candidates (yes or no) whether they support the following asks. You can see their responses - and take action to quiz them yourself - below.

Champion the West of England’s cycling and walking culture
By planning a high quality and coherent network of core cycle routes across the West of England for commuting and local trips that meets the needs of all levels of cyclist. Aim to double the number of trips made by cycle in the West of England area by 2025 while upholding the target of 20% of trips to made by cycle in Bristol city by 2020.

Seek the funding to achieve your aims
Create a dedicated budget for cycling and actively seek enough funding to build your network to a high standard

Establish MetroCycle on an equal footing with MetroRail and MetroBus
Set up and chair a steering group that brings together councils, business groups, universities, advocates and transport businesses.

What candidates have said so far:

Candidates

Q.1

Q.2

Q.3

Comments

Aaron Foot
(UKIP)

-

-

-

-

Darren Hall
(GREEN)

YES

YES

YES

It is absolutely essential that we prioritise cycling as one of the be solutions to solving congestion and air quality issues. It makes economic sense, it makes sense for health, and it makes sense for families who are struggling to get themselves to work, and their children to school.

John Savage
(IND)

YES

YES

YES

I am supportive of a Metro Cycle idea, but I would also like to know more details on what would be expected.

Lesley Mansell
(LAB)

YES

YES

YES

One of my top priorities for transport is to invest in active transport. In my manifesto I have committed to promoting cycling by reviewing, maintaining and improving cycle lanes. Furthermore, I aim to a build a connecting network of high-quality strategic cycling routes and will appoint an Active Travel Commissioner reporting directly to the Mayor on progress towards my target of 40% of all journeys to be made by foot and bike across the West of England Combined Authority by 2025.

In addition, I will ensure all new developments are connected to active travel and public transport networks with high-quality infrastructure to reduce reliance on single occupancy car journeys. You can find the rest of my pledges and policies here: http://www.mansell4mayor.org/lesleys-pledges-and-policies/

Stephen Williams
(LIB)

YES

YES

YES

Cycling is a sustainable and healthy way to travel. By encouraging more cyclists and integrated transport we can tackle two of the biggest problems our two cities have and improve life for those living in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding areas as well.

Air Pollution is an environmental disaster we need to tackle right now. By reducing fossil fuelled transport we can make a large impact now for the generations of the future. Cycling also tackles congestion which all to often sees our cities and main roads grind to a halt. More cycling reduces the problem of congestion which in turn reduces our big issue, air pollution.

As Metro Mayor I will encourage our councils to continue enhancing cycle routes. I will press the government to ensure that the devolved transport budget includes sufficient resource to introduce cycling improvements.

I will work with Sustrans and others to double the number of trips made by bicycle in the West of England by 2025 and uphold the target of 20% commuting trips to Bristol by 2020. I will also set a realistic target for Bath and explore combination journeys, for instance cycle and ride. I will work with our councils, business groups, universities, transport businesses and advocates to steer our walking and cycling priorities.

Tim Bowles
(CON)

-

-

-

I have long been a supporter of improving cycling facilities.

I was pleased that our work in South Gloucestershire was recognised by the National Highways and Transportation Public Satisfaction survey when we were ranked as the top performing local authority for the provision of cycling facilities and infrastructure.

In my own ward we secured significant funding to improve the facilities for cyclists at junction 1 of the M32 motorway at Hambrook, which benefits commuter cyclists along the A4174 ring road corridor. As a council we also introduced more extensive gritting on the cycle path network.

As a member of the leadership team on South Gloucestershire Council I feel that it's important to connect all of the authority with a strong cycling network of infrastructure.